Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement at Hylton High School

Welcome to the Advanced Placement Program at Hylton High School! For the 2023-2024 school year we are offering over 23 courses at the Advanced Placement or AP level. We welcome all students who accept the challenge of taking a college level course in high school!

What are Advanced Placement or AP Courses?

Advanced Placement courses also known as AP courses are rigorous courses designed by The College Board taught by incredible and passionate educators at C. D. Hylton Senior High School that all students in grades 10-12 are eligible to take. These courses are designed to take the place of introductory college courses. In AP courses students are asked to read, write, think, and to work on solving problems at a college level. These courses can help students earn college credits before they even set foot on a college campus which helps students save both time and money in college. Taking these courses also helps students stand out to colleges and universities. Taking and succeeding in AP courses also shows colleges and universities that you’re motivated, and you have done rigorous academic work before you even left high school! Also taking these courses can help you develop your time management, organization, critical thinking, and scholarly writing skills that you will need in your college and career. Finally, taking an AP course can be a GPA boost since AP courses are weighted!

Who can take an Advanced Placement or AP Course at Hylton?

Any student in grades 10-12 can take an Advanced Placement or AP course at C. D. Hylton High School! We always recommend that students select AP courses that are in subjects that are interested in since they are more likely to be willing to do the course work. Please remember that these courses are rigorous and often to require that students put in time outside of the class to practice skills and master content. We offer more than 23 AP courses each year at Hylton so there are plenty to choose from but again we want students to explore courses based on topics and subjects that interest them!

What Advanced Placement or AP Courses does Hylton High School offer?  

During the 2023-2024 school year we will be offering 23 AP courses in a variety of our departments including Art, English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages!

What are Advanced Placement or AP Exams? 

Advanced Placement Exams or AP Exams are given each year during the first two weeks of May. All students who are in AP courses at C. D. Hylton High School are expected to take an AP Exam for each AP course they take each year. AP Exams are designed by The College Board. The exams are given during the first two full weeks in May. These exams often have multiple sections and are designed to test both a student’s mastery of content and skills. A student’s performance on their AP Exam determines whether they will be eligible to receive credit for that course at colleges, universities, and community colleges. Prince William County Public Schools pays for an AP Exam in every AP course that they take however please note that if a student chooses not to take an AP exam will result in students having to pay a $40 unused exam fee.

2023-2024 Advanced Placement or AP Exam Schedule 

Advanced Placement Exams or AP Exams will be given between Monday May 6, 2024 and Friday May 13, 2024. The schedule of exams is created by The College Board. There are morning and afternoon exams. For morning AP exams we ask students to report to the testing room at 7:25 am and for afternoon exams we ask students to eat A or B lunch and report to the testing room at 11:30 am. Please note that afternoon exams will not end by 2:10 pm so students taking afternoon AP exams will need to arrange for transportation home after the AP exam.  

2023-2024 AP Exam Schedule

How do Advanced Placement or AP Exam Scores Work?

AP Exams are meant to assess a student’s mastery of content and their mastery of course skills. AP Exam scores are released in the first two weeks of July through a student's myapclassroom account. Students will receive a score of a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 on their AP Exam. Scores of a 3, 4, or 5 are generally considered passing. Every college and university set their own policies for what score will allow a student to earn college credit for each AP course. You can look up what scores are needed to get credit at colleges and community colleges by clicking on the link below. Search for the course and then search for any college, university, or community college.

Search for AP Credit Policies by AP Course

How much money does it cost to take an Advanced Placement or AP course?

The simple answer is none! AP courses are free to take here at C. D. Hylton Senior High School! Also, Prince William County Public Schools pays for the cost of the AP exam for each student enrolled in an AP course. Students, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain from taking your AP exam! The only students who will have to pay a fee is students who do not show up to take their AP exam. The fee for an unused exam is $40.00.

Do you have more questions about Advanced Placement or AP Courses or Exams? 

Please contact Mrs. Christine Terenchin, Specialty Program & AP Program Coordinator at C. D. Hylton Senior High School at terencce@pwcs.edu or AP Program Coordinator Administrative Assistant- Mrs. Darlene Rivera at riverad1@pwcs.edu